Itinerary Cape Town

Itinerary Cape Town 2023

Dear IMFR members, friends and family,

after the long COVID – 19 period we could not gather we are happy to announce a wonderful trip to South Africa with our local tour guide Norbert and an unforgettable Marathon in Cape Town. The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is Africa’s 1st Major candidate race. Everyone is invited to be part of the experience. Everyone – is a key player.

The 42.2km Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is a prestigious global city race open to a whole spectrum of running enthusiasts from elite athletes to social runners. Along the scenic route, you will experience multiple views of Table Mountain, the Atlantic Ocean, historic landmarks, as well as many famous attractions and the hustle and bustle of Woodstock.

IMFR meets South Africa with Ali Schneider Marathonreisen 2023

Dates: 3rd October – 18th October (Cape Town only: 11th October – 18th October)

Tuesday October 03rd 2023:

O/N Kariega  for 2 nights all-inclusive of Meals and Game Drives.

After the arrival in Gqeberha ( Port Elizabeth) we will have a 1:45h transfer to the privately owned “Kariega Game Lodge”, where we will be staying for two nights.

This late afternoon we will have the first of many adventures coming: A three hour ‘African Experience’ in an open vehicle (4×4)  guided by our own local rangers.

A stunning sunset awaits us at the reserve. With finger food and tasty drinks we will review the experiences of the day. After we have returned to our lodge we will conclude the day with a traditional ‘Buffet Boma Dinner’ in the open air restaurant.

Wednesday October 04th 2023:

Early the next morning we will set out for our second three hour ‘Game Drive’. After this special trip we will enjoy an abundant breakfast back at the lodge.

The rest of the day is at your free disposal. For those who want to spend the day searching for an adventure, we suggest you go for a ‘Bush Walk’. An included lunch will be served. In the late afternoon we have a sunset boat ride for 1,5 hrs on the” Kariega River” with stunning scenery, enhanced with delicious snacks and drinks. To finish this exciting day, we will have dinner together at the lodge.

Thursday October 05th 2023

O/N Knysna Quays Hotel for 2 nights.

Today, after breakfast, we will be leaving “Kariega and make our way towards the “Garden Route”.

We will make a quick stop at the “Tsitsikamma National Park” for a hike through the beautiful natural forest. After 1,5 hrs we will reach our goal: the famous “Storms River Bridge”.

If the hike made you hungry, you can have your lunch at the restaurant nearby (at your own costs).

We will continue our trip via the “Plattenberg Bay“ where you can go for a swim in the turquoise sea.

After we have arrived at our hotel in the “Knysny Waterfront” we will enjoy our dinner at the “Dry Dock Restaurant”.

Friday October 06th 2023:

After a leisurely breakfast we make our way to the “Waterfront Ferry” for a 30min boat ride on the “Knysna Estuary”, to the “Featherbed Nature Reserve”. Along the way we will be told of the history and interesting facts about Knysna. Once at the reserve we will be transported to the “Knysna Heads” ( mouth opening ) to enjoy spectacular views over the “Outeniqua Mountains” and Knysna. After a 2km easy hike we will enjoy an excellent buffet lunch. After that our ferry takes us back to the Knysna Waterfront.

The rest of the day will be at your free disposal. We recommend that you take the time to discover Knysna and it’s pretty little shops on foot. The dinner at this evening will be at your own costs.

Saturday October 07th 2023:

O/N Queens Hotel Oudtshoorn for 2 nights:

Today we will start very early in the morning.

We will travel along the Garden Route, pass Sedgefield and stop in Wilderness.

Here we will participate on a 1h kayak adventure, departing from the “Fairy Know Hotel”.

We will continue via George and over the 800m high ‘Outeniqua Mountain Pass’ , to the little karoo town of Oudtshoorn for an early check in at our hotel.

At 5pm we organized a 1h guided tour at the “Safari Ostrich Farm”, where we all can learn very interesting facts about these fascinating animals. You will thereafter have time to see and possibly purchase some ostrich products.

To finish off this day, we all will be invited for grilled ostrich steak for dinner before we make our way back to the hotel.

Sunday October 08th 2023:

Today we will visit the majestic “Cango Dripstone Caves” for a guided tour.

We will also have the opportunity to visit the “Cango Wildlife Ranch” to see some nile crocodiles and if we are lucky enough, we might also be able to swim with them.

The rest of the day will be at your free disposal again. Take the opportunity to explore Oudtshoorn or just relax in the sun of south africa.

For dinner you are free to choose – a group dinner can be arranged at a good local restaurant.

Monday October 09th 2023:

O/N Harbour House Hermanus for 2 Nights:

Our journey today takes us along the infamous route 62, passing towns like ‘Calitzdorp’ and ‘Ladismith’. We will stop at the famous bar “Ronnies Sex Shop” for a drink (at your own costs).

We will be passing Barrydale, we continue via Bredarsdorp to the southern tip of the African continent called Cape Agulhas. There we will see the place where the two oceans meet.

Our destination for this day is Hermanus where you can choose between a variety of very good restaurants for dinner.

Tuesday October 10th 2023:

Today we have an inclusive morning 2,5 hour whale watching boat ride to see these breath-taking creatures up close. On return we have the rest of the afternoon to explore the whale coastline, or stop for lunch at any of the restaurants offering views of the beautiful bay and majestic whales (dinner on your own account).

Wednesday October 11th 2023:

O/N Protea Sea Point Hotel for 7 Nights:

Today we will leave Hermanus and travel via pretty towns like Kleinmond and Betties Bay to visit the “African Penguin Colony” at Stoney Point. There you will have the opportunity to make pictures of these well-dressed animals.

After our visit we continue via Clarens Drive, with splendid views of False Bay and The Cape Of Good Hope all the way to Cape Town. This evening we have a group buffet dinner at our hotel (dinner and 2 drinks included).

Thursday October 12th 2023:

Today we will take the time to discover Cape Town. We will start with a visit to the Table Mountain. After that we will visit the Bo Kaap with its colorful houses.

We will continue to explore some of the beautiful old buildings that Cape Town has to offer, ending at the Runners Expo, so the marathon runners can check on their registration and receive their Sanlam Marathon goody bags and race numbers. We also have a stop at the ‘Waterfront’ for some free time and shopping. The rest of the day will be at your free disposal – there are countless good restaurants near the hotel or even the Waterfront.

Friday October 13th 2023:

Today will be the highlight of any visit to Cape Town: a drive to the Cape Of Good Hope with a visit to Cape Point. We will leave early in the morning to drive along the Atlantic coast via Camps Bay to Hout Bay, where we will enjoy a boat ride to visit the famous “Cape Fur Seal Colony”.

We will continue our journey along the “Chapmans Peak Drive” with spectacular views for memorable photo opportunities. After that we will travel via Noordhoek and Scarborough to the  entrance of the “Cape Of Good Hope Nature Reserve”. We will take a funicular to the old lighthouse for the best views of Cape Point.

At the Cape Of Good Hope will be the perfect opportunity for a group photo stop.

After this we will leave the reserve and make our way to the “Sea Forth Restaurant” for a fantastic lunch with excellent views.

After lunch and a 1 hour drive along False Bay coast line, passing the naval base of Simons Town as well as the beach villages of Fishhook and Muizenberg we take a leisurely stroll through the botanical gardens of Kirstenbosch.

To finish our day we will make our way back to our hotel.

Saturday October 14th 2023:

Today we have planned a rest day to explore other Cape Town interests.

Then we organized a group pasta evening dinner at the hotel.

Eat your fill and gather all your energy for tomorrow’s run!

Sunday October 15th 2023 Marathon Day:

We have planned a very early departure to the starting zone of the marathon.

We will all meet up at the International Tent and cheer our runners on together to the finish line.  Once all the runners have completed the marathon we will make our way back to our hotel to give our finishers some well-deserved resting time.

At 4pm we leave for a traditional South African ”Braai“ dinner in ‘Table View’. 

We will encounter a stunning view of the Table Mountain from the Blouberg Beach along the way, before settling in with wine and beer for a delicious dinner.

Monday October 16th 2023:

Today we will travel to the Stellenbosch Wine Region. We will have Free Time in Stellenbosch and then explore more of the wine Region with a Cellar tour and Wine tasting. After a Lunch at a beautiful location ( all included ) we make our way back to Cape Town. ( dinner on your own account.)

Tuesday October 17th 2023:

Today is a rest day to explore the last Impressions of Cape Town and say goodbye!

Wednesday October 18th 2023:

Say goodbye to Cape Town!

Our Package includes:

  • 15 nights

  • English speaking tour guide since over 35 years from Cape Town

  • 48 Seater bus

  • transfer to Kariega Game Lodge

  • 2 nights at Kariega Game Lodge 4* incl. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (drinks are not included)and Game Drive

  • 2 nights at Knysna Quays Hotel by Marriott 4* incl. Breakfast

  • 2 nights at Queens Hotel Oudtshoorn 4* incl. Breakfast

  • 2 nights at Harbour House Hermanus 4* incl. Breakfast

  • 7 nights at Protea Sea Point Hotel by Marriott 3* incl Breakfast, Pasta Party (Saturday), Welcome Dinner (drinks are not included)

  • Entrances:
    • Tsitsikamma
    • Featherbed Nature tour in Knysna
    • Cango Dripstone Caves
    • Ostrich farm
    • Crocodile farm and tour
    • Cape of good hope
    • Funicular for Cape Point
    • Penguin tour
    • Tafelberg
    • Kirstenbosch botanical garden
    • Cellar tour and Wine tasting
    • Whale Watching per boat in Hermanus
    • Kayak and hike in Wilderness

      • Seals boat tour in Hout Bay

    • Lunch at (drinks are not included):
      • Knysna Lunch (Featherbed Buffet)
      • Cellar tour and Wine tasting

        • Cape tour

      • Dinner at (drinks are not included):

          • Knysna Dinner (Drydock Knysna Waterfront)

        • Tips included:
          • Rangers and Staff at Kariega
          • Featherbed
          • Cango Dripstone Caves
          • Ostrich farm
          • Cellar tour and Wine tasting

            • Guides and Driver

          Cape Town only (7 nights):

          • same services includes from 11th – 18th October

          • Different on Saturday 14th October – no rest day

          (Whale Watching and Penguin Tour – same as the full package on 11th October)

          Customer on their own expense:

          • Marathon Entry Spot

          • Flights

              • arriving in Port Elizabeth (IATA Code: PLZ) before 11:30am on 3rd October

            please let us know if there are some issues, so we can arrange an additional night in Port Elizabeth oder Johannesburg

            • departing in Cape Town (IATA Code: CPT) only one group transfer

            please let us know your flight schedule, so we can arrange the group transfer as good as possible for the group

            • Drinks to all meals

            • Package – Cape town only: Transfer from Airport to Protea Hotel in Cape Town

            Conditions:

            Prices:

            All prices are in Euro and included taxes

            Single occupancy: 4495,- Euro per person

            double occupancy: 3495,- Euro per person

            Cape Town only:

            Single occupancy: 1395,- Euro per person

            Double occupancy: 995,- Euro per person

            Minimum Passenger Numbers:

            Minimum Pax: 25 Pax (Cape Town only: 15 Pax)

            Cancellation fees:

            ASM:

            If the minimum number of participants is not reached until 10th July, ASM may withdraw from the contract or propose a price increase to the customer.

            Customer:

            up to 90 days before departure: 30%

            up to 60 days before departure: 35%

            up to 30 days before departure: 40%

            up to 22 days before departure: 50%

            up to 15 days before departure: 60%

            up to 7 days before departure: 80%

            in case of cancellation on the day of departure or no-show: 95%

            Additional Insurance:

            Details for travel insurance like the travel cancellation and travel Curtailment insurance is attached as a PDF

            Payment:

            You can pay the total amount or a deposit of 30% of the full amount after booking.

            We accept bank transfers and Credit cards (VISA and MasterCard).

            Additional information:

            As a German travel company we offer a travel price insurance certificate.

            Please Check Safety instructions, health regulations and entry instructions for your nationality